The Boiler House
Following the decommissioning of the gas boilers and greenhouses at St. Andrews’ Botanic Gardens, RKA were invited to pitch for the project of reusing the existing boiler house and adapting this into a new education space for school pupils, university students, and visiting groups.The elegant 1970s structure needed a new lease of life. We re-used the machine room as a new entrance hall with a tall ceiling and added a high level window. The main move was to remove the wall between the boiler room and garages to create one large flexible space with exposed steel and timber structure.
Craigtoun Events Space
Set within the natural beauty of Craigtoun Park, our proposal envisions a new multi-use community space designed to support education and a wide range of local initiatives. The concept centres around flexibility - creating a welcoming and adaptable environment that serves the diverse needs of community groups, schools, volunteers, and events.
Highgate School
A new entrance and academic heart for a leading independent school in Highgate’s urban village.Highgate School is an independent foundation of three schools which provides an all-through education from sites totalling 55 acres in north London. As a forward-thinking, progressive organisation, the school aims to harness the energy and activity of its students in the academic setting as well as offering them a refuge for quiet reflection in an often frenetic urban environment. As with several of Orms’ education projects, designing within this context required a thorough consideration of the surrounding urban character, as well as an understanding of how the existing school buildings worked together as a mini-campus.
King’s School Ely
King’s Ely lies close to one of the most important cultural landmarks in England, Ely Cathedral and its cluster of listed monastic buildings. When the school decided to reinforce its enviable reputation for art and drama by extending its existing facilities, it was clear that respect for the historic site – and the distinctive plain lines of the local vernacular – should inform the design.
Options in Life
RKA has designed a new home for Options in Life, a charity that supports young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. Set within the former TSB building in Cupar, a Category C listed structure, the project transforms the historic property into a vibrant and fully accessible space for education, social activity, administration, and a new public café.
Sherbourne School
A music school combining highly specialist recital and recording space in an airy, outward-facing building.Sherborne is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, its buildings clustered in and around the centre of a small market town in Dorset. With the architecture of the school so integral to that of the town, any new development has to be a good neighbour, respecting the sensitive townscape as well as successfully connecting into the school’s extended campus. The new music school was therefore located in a more prominent site than that originally suggested, encouraging the community in for public performances but also creating intimate external spaces in the immediate context.
The American School Pool
A new, on-site hub for physical fitness and exercise at the American School in London.The American School in London offers students an American college curriculum which, alongside academic subjects, places a strong emphasis on physical education, fitness and exercise. This commitment means that the gymnasium accommodation is the most well-used (and indeed, overscheduled) learning space at its urban campus in St Johns Wood in London, and many physical education classes have to be taken off campus because there is inadequate provision.
The Potting Shed
Formerly the work and potting sheds for the park this early 20th century brick structure was underused and in need of a new life.RKA continued their working relationship with Friends of Craigtoun with the commission to prepare a design for a new café and education space as part of a wider masterplan.
